SKS Diago pump

Great looking pump which handles high pressures with ease, although it'll take you a while to reach them

Weight:

108g

Contact:

www.chickencyclekit.com, www.madison.co.uk, www.raleigh.co.uk

SKS Diago pump

610Liam Glen

SKS Diago pump

The SKS Diago's sleek appearance sets it apart from the vast majority of mini pumps but the design isn't just for show. The smooth integration of the handle and pump head helps to prevent grit and dirt from fouling the mechanism whilst the ridges that run the length on the pump clip nicely into the provided frame mount.

At 240mm long and 25mm in diameter, the SKS Diago is on the large side for a mini pump, but is still manageable in a rear pocket, aided in part by its scant 109g weight (claimed). SKS also provide a plastic frame mount which can help free up some pocket space on long rides. One thing I have against frame mounts is that they often place the pump right in the path of the muck that flies off your tyres causing the pump to seize up and fail. Whilst not waterproof, the Diago does seem to do a good job keeping out larger particles and was still fully operational after a series of rides in appalling conditions. One thing to note; the larger diameter could prove problematic in terms of calf clearance when mounted to the seat tube. For those that care about this sort of thing, the Diago's stealthy looks also ensures that the smooth lines of your pride and joy aren't spoiled.

Construction wise, the Diago features aluminium internals covered by a thick plastic casing which helps keep the weight down. Build quality seems reasonable as the pump hasn't developed any play during the test period. The head is of the push fit type, and is only compatible with presta valves which could rule it out for some.

In use, it took 200 strokes to reach a pressure of 80psi in a standard 700x23cc tube. A further 100 strokes took things up to 100psi, which is what I'd usually ride at. For such a large pump, the stroke volume does seem a little on the small side by contrast the Lezyne Road Drive pump we tested got to 100psi in 100 strokes less and the Zefal HPX Light locked out at 115psi in 225 strokes, although the pump remained very smooth throughout. SKS claim a maximum pressure capability of 144psi and although I never got this high, the smoothness of the pump action at high pressure and the solidity of the seal at the valve make this claim at least approaching realistic, in my book at least. In contrast to some all metal pumps out there, the Diago never got hot when pumping away furiously and could easily be handled without gloves.

Available in either black or white.

Verdict

Great looking pump which handles high pressures with ease, although it'll take you a while to reach them

road.cc test report

Make and model: SKS Diago pump

Size tested: Black

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

SKS have the following to say about the Diago:

The streamlined SKS DIAGO mini pump combines design and function. The use of high quality materials bestows the DIAGO a classy look. The handle lock ensures the pump fits securely in the frame mount. This high-performance pump reaches 10bar/144psi and is the perfect companion for road bike enthusiasts.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

valve: Presta

length: 240 mm

ouput max: 10 Bar / 144 PSI

weight: 109g

Rate the product for quality of construction:

7/10

The plastic casing is thick whilst the aluminium internals have remained play free for the test duration

For 5 years, racing was my life and I went all the way from a newbie bonking after 40 miles, to a full-timer plying my trade on the Belgian kermesse scene. Unfortunately, the pro dream wasn't meant to be and these days, you're more likely to find me bimbling about country lanes and sleeping in a bush on the side of the road.

Here's how we roll at road.cc:

Every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a real insight into whether it works or not. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective, and we strive to ensure that all opinions expressed are backed up by facts, but reviews are always a reviewer's informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores. It reflects both a product's function and value. Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad. Here's what they mean: